Long COVID in Children and Adolescents: Implications for Nursing Management.

CONTINUING education units; RISK assessment; CARDIOPULMONARY system physiology; MENTAL health; POST-acute COVID-19 syndrome; FATIGUE (Physiology); HEADACHE; SEX distribution; ANGER; ABDOMINAL pain; CARDIOTONIC agents; TASTE disorders; SYMPTOMS; ANXIETY; SEVERITY of illness index; AGE distribution; ALLERGIES; COGNITION disorders; AUTOIMMUNE diseases; PSYCHOLOGICAL stress; ANGIOTENSIN converting enzyme; ARTIFICIAL respiration; PAIN management; DYSPNEA; SMELL disorders; SOCIAL support; COVID-19; MEMORY disorders; MENTAL depression; GASTROINTESTINAL diseases; DISEASE risk factors; ADOLESCENCE; CHILDREN

This article examines characteristics and pathogenesis of long COVID in children and adolescents, and their implications for nursing management. Long COVID is a complex set of symptoms that follows a SARS-CoV-2 infection. After the acute phase, children can develop long COVID with symptoms that vary in intensity and duration, and do not necessarily present progressively. Long COVID is a growing health concern among children because its symptoms often overlap and fluctuate. Symptoms depend upon the organ affected, and can consist of shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, headache, and cognitive and memory issues, among many others. Most children with long COVID tend to be adolescents, with females more commonly affected than males. A post-viral autoimmune injury is a probable cause of long COVID syndrome. Nurses need to consider that while physical symptoms are likely foremost, feelings of stress, anxiety, anger, and depression among children and adolescents are also present. An approach to children and adolescents experiencing long COVID is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]